NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
305 reports86,152 miles · Aug 9, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHILE DRIVING OUR 2003 KIA SORENTO WE HEARD A LOUD CLUNK AND BANG. PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND FOUND THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY LAYING AT THE BOTTOM OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. THE FIRST WAS IN JUNE OF 2010 WITH 78,560 MILES. THE DEALER REPLACED THE BROKEN BOLT. (PART NUMBER 23127 39801QQK) T…
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WHILE DRIVING OUR 2003 KIA SORENTO WE HEARD A LOUD CLUNK AND BANG. PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND FOUND THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY LAYING AT THE BOTTOM OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. THE FIRST WAS IN JUNE OF 2010 WITH 78,560 MILES. THE DEALER REPLACED THE BROKEN BOLT. (PART NUMBER 23127 39801QQK) THIS IS WHAT CAUSED THE FAILURE. WHEN THE BOLT FAILED IT CAUSED THE FOLLOWING ADDITIONAL DAMAGE, TIMING BELT, SENSOR CRANK ANGLE, BLADE SENSING CRANK. THE TOTAL BILL CAME TO 1197 FOR A BOLT FAILING. THE BOLT FAILED AGAIN 14 MONTHS LATER ON AUGUST 8TH 2011. SAME EXACT PROBLEM THAT OCCURRED THE FIRST TIME. THE CAR IS CURRENTLY IN THE SHOP AND I'M FIGHTING WITH THE DEALER NOW TO REPAIR IT UNDER WARRANTY. I'VE DONE SOME RESEARCH ON THIS AND THIS IS BECOMING A GROWING ISSUE WITH THE SORENTOS. IF YOU OWN ONE HAVE THE BOLT ON INSPECTED DURING EVERY OIL CHANGE. IF THE BOLT SEEMS LOOSE HAVE IT CHECKED OUT IMMEDIATELY. IT COULD SAVE YOU THOUSANDS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10418140
120,000 miles · Jul 18, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling
MY CAR BROKE DOWN WHILE DRIVING.....MY MECHANIC ADVISED ME THAT THE PULLEY BROKE OFF & I NEEDED TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER... THE DEALER ADVISED, IT WILL COST ME ALMOST $5000...I CALLED KIA CORPORATE & WITH MY VIN#, THEY FOUND THAT IT WAS RECALLED IN 2007 & FIXED IT & CAN NOT BE FIXED AGAIN.... MY QUESTION HERE IS, IF IT WAS DEF…
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MY CAR BROKE DOWN WHILE DRIVING.....MY MECHANIC ADVISED ME THAT THE PULLEY BROKE OFF & I NEEDED TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER... THE DEALER ADVISED, IT WILL COST ME ALMOST $5000...I CALLED KIA CORPORATE & WITH MY VIN#, THEY FOUND THAT IT WAS RECALLED IN 2007 & FIXED IT & CAN NOT BE FIXED AGAIN.... MY QUESTION HERE IS, IF IT WAS DEFECTIVE PART & BROKE AGAIN, HOW CAN THIS BE MY FAULT? I HAVE NO CAR NOW TO USE, I CAN NOT AFFORD TO GET IT FIXED, I STILL OWE MORE THAN $5000 ON THE CAR....THE CAR IS NOT WORTH $5000.. I TRIED TO RENT A CAR FOR A WEEK TO SEE WHAT COULD BE DONE, THAT WILL COST OVER $400.... I AM DESPERATE FOR YOUR HELP!! THANK YOU SO MUCH!! *KB
NHTSA ODI #10413464
145,000 miles · Jul 13, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REFUELING, FUEL BEGAN TO SPILL OUT FROM THE FUEL FILLER NECK. THE FAILURE RECURRED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS REFUELED. THE FUEL LIGHT ALSO BEGAN TO ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE FUEL CAP WAS REPLACE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REFUELING, FUEL BEGAN TO SPILL OUT FROM THE FUEL FILLER NECK. THE FAILURE RECURRED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS REFUELED. THE FUEL LIGHT ALSO BEGAN TO ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE FUEL CAP WAS REPLACED; YET, THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE FUEL LIGHT WAS RESET; HOWEVER, THE REPAIR DID NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 145,000. UPDATED 08/11/11*LJ UPDATED 08/12/11*JB
NHTSA ODI #10412111
79,400 miles · May 18, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 TO 20 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED ON A FEW OCCASIONS AND OTHER TIMES HE WAS ABLE TO RESTART IT ON ITS OWN. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THEY ADVISED HIM THAT IT WAS THE FU…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 TO 20 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED ON A FEW OCCASIONS AND OTHER TIMES HE WAS ABLE TO RESTART IT ON ITS OWN. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THEY ADVISED HIM THAT IT WAS THE FUEL PUMP. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE FUEL PUMP. ON ANOTHER OCCASION IT WAS TOWED AGAIN AND THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AGAIN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 79,400.
NHTSA ODI #10401446
70,000 miles · Apr 18, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline
APPROXIMATELY 6 MONTHS AGO, I NOTICED THAT I CANNOT FILL UP MY FUEL TANK IN MY 2003 KIA SORENTO WITHOUT THE FUEL BACKING UP AND KICKING BACK OUT THE TANK. I HAVE TO FILL THE TANK VERY SLOWLY AND IT TAKES A LONG TIME. IT JUST STARTED TO OCCUR ONE DAY AND HAPPENS EVERY TIME I REFILL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10396608
Mileage unknown · Apr 14, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline
I HAVE A 2003 KIA SORENTO,BOUGHT IN JANUARY,2003. DURING THE SUMMER OF 2009 I FOUND EVERYTIME I FILLED THE GAS TANK,FUEL WOULD "BLOW-BACK" AT FIRST I COULD SOMETIME REMOVE THE NOZZLE AND RE-START THE FILL AND IT WOULD STOP. I ALSO I HAD TO DELIVER THE GAS VERY SLOWLY. SINCE LAST YEAR I FIND I CAN NEVER FILL WITHOUT "BLOW-BACK"…
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I HAVE A 2003 KIA SORENTO,BOUGHT IN JANUARY,2003. DURING THE SUMMER OF 2009 I FOUND EVERYTIME I FILLED THE GAS TANK,FUEL WOULD "BLOW-BACK" AT FIRST I COULD SOMETIME REMOVE THE NOZZLE AND RE-START THE FILL AND IT WOULD STOP. I ALSO I HAD TO DELIVER THE GAS VERY SLOWLY. SINCE LAST YEAR I FIND I CAN NEVER FILL WITHOUT "BLOW-BACK" AND IT SEEMS I MUST LISTEN FOR THE RUSH OF FUEL TO SPIT BACK. I USUALLY FIND I AM COVERED WITH FUEL AND THE PAINT ON THE REAR PANEL IS BEGINNING TO SHOW DAMAGE FROM THE FUEL. I HAVE NOT BEEN TO THE DEALER AS JUST AS THIS PROBLEM BEGAN, THE KIA DEALER IN DAYTONA BEACH CLOSED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10395949
78,000 miles · Apr 6, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BOLT CRANKSHAFT SENSOR BOLT FAILED AND CAUSED THE BELTS TO FRACTURE AND THE POWER STEERING TO MALFUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE IT WAS REPAIRED YET THE FAILURE RECURRED SHORTLY AFTER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE CONTA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BOLT CRANKSHAFT SENSOR BOLT FAILED AND CAUSED THE BELTS TO FRACTURE AND THE POWER STEERING TO MALFUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE IT WAS REPAIRED YET THE FAILURE RECURRED SHORTLY AFTER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 106,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 78,000.
NHTSA ODI #10394420
98,000 miles · Mar 16, 2011
Power Train
VEHICLE MODEL: KIA SORENTO EX; THE TRANSMISSION KEEPS FAILING AND THE AIRBAG MODULE KEEPS BREAKING AND DISPLAYING RED LIGHT EVEN AFTER FIXING AT A DEALER SHOP "BILL DODGE KIA , WESTBROOK, ME. THE SYMPTOMS ARE AS FOLLOWS: YOU PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE AND THE VEHICLE DOES NOT MOVE AND ONLY A GRINDING SOUND OCCURS, THEN YOU MOVE THE TR…
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VEHICLE MODEL: KIA SORENTO EX; THE TRANSMISSION KEEPS FAILING AND THE AIRBAG MODULE KEEPS BREAKING AND DISPLAYING RED LIGHT EVEN AFTER FIXING AT A DEALER SHOP "BILL DODGE KIA , WESTBROOK, ME. THE SYMPTOMS ARE AS FOLLOWS: YOU PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE AND THE VEHICLE DOES NOT MOVE AND ONLY A GRINDING SOUND OCCURS, THEN YOU MOVE THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT UP AND DOWN AND AFTER A FEW MOMENTS IT GENERALLY GOES INTO GEAR.WE ALMOST HAD SEVERAL ACCIDENTS AND THE CAR IS BACK IN THE SHOP. THIS CAR IS A NIGHTMARE CAR -- PLEASE DO NOTIFY MANUFACTURER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10390391
105,000 miles · Feb 28, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline
I HAVE A 2003 KIA SORENTO AND ABOUT 3 MONTHS AGO WHEN I WENT TO PUT GAS IN MY CAR THE GAS WAS SPEWING OUT ON MY CAR, THE GROUND, AND ON ME. AND IT HAPPENS EVERY TIME I PUT GAS IN IT NOW. I HAVE TO PUMP VERY SLOWLY SO IT DON'T SHOOT OUT AT ME. BUT THAT TAKES TWENTY MIN TO PUMP HALF A TANK OF GAS. THE KIA DEALERSHIP SAYS THEIR NOT…
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I HAVE A 2003 KIA SORENTO AND ABOUT 3 MONTHS AGO WHEN I WENT TO PUT GAS IN MY CAR THE GAS WAS SPEWING OUT ON MY CAR, THE GROUND, AND ON ME. AND IT HAPPENS EVERY TIME I PUT GAS IN IT NOW. I HAVE TO PUMP VERY SLOWLY SO IT DON'T SHOOT OUT AT ME. BUT THAT TAKES TWENTY MIN TO PUMP HALF A TANK OF GAS. THE KIA DEALERSHIP SAYS THEIR NOT SURE WHAT'S WRONG BUT WILL COST AROUND $600.00-%$800.00 TO FIX IT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10384802
Mileage unknown · Feb 14, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline
SINCE THE FUEL PUMP OF MY KIA SORENTO 2003 WAS CHANGED ON JUNE 2010, EVERY TIME I FILLED UP THE TANK WITH GAS, IT COMES BACK, VOMITING ALL THE GAS AT THAT MOMENT. I HAVE TO SLOWLY FILL IT UP AND TAKES ME ABOUT 20 MINUTES TO FILL UP THE TANK. NONE OF THE MECHANICS CONSULTED CAN FIND A SOLUTION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10382551
NHTSA investigations
1PE10023 · Fuel Spill During Refueling
Opened Jul 12, 2010 · Closed Dec 21, 2011
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline; Fuel System, Gasoline:storage; Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly; Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:filler Pipe And Cap
Complaints allege that while refueling the vehicle, fuel can spill out or spit back from the fuel filler port on model year (MY) 2003 Kia Sorento vehicles (subject vehicles).Consumers report that the spilled fuel can splash on the person fueling the vehicle, or on the side of the vehicle and the ground.The subject vehicles are equipped with an evaporative emissions control system that, among other things, manages air exchange between the fuel tank and the atmosphere in an environmentally safe manner.The system consists of a vapor canister, various control valves and tubing, and a canister filter (fuel tank air filter) through which the air that flows in and out of the fuel tank must pass.Kia's testing found that if the canister filter becomes significantly clogged, excess pressure can build up in the fuel tank and cause fuel to spit back from the filler port during refueling.Kia has stated that the canister filter requires regularly scheduled service maintenance; however, the component is not listed as a maintenance item in the owner's or service manual for the subject vehicles.ODI notes that Kia does list the filter on the maintenance schedule in the owner's manual for MY 2005 and newer Kia Sorento vehicles.To address the issue of fuel spit back during refueling, Kia will conduct a service campaign of approximately 86,000 MY 2003 and 2004 Kia Sorento vehicles.The campaign will provide a one-time replacement of the canister filter, at no cost to the owner.Kia will begin notifying the affected owners in late January 2012 and will inform the owners that the filter must be serviced at regular intervals.Kia will also provide an updated service maintenance schedule.Consumers should refer to the service campaign bulletin number SC092 available in the investigative file.A safety-related defect trend has not been identified at this time and further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that no safety-related defect exists.The agency will monitor the issue and reserves the right to take future action if warranted by the circumstances.
Additional source detail variants (4)
Fuel System, Gasoline
Complaints allege that while refueling the vehicle, fuel can spill out or spit back from the fuel filler port on model year (MY) 2003 Kia Sorento vehicles (subject vehicles).Consumers report that the spilled fuel can splash on the person fueling the vehicle, or on the side of the vehicle and the ground.The subject vehicles are equipped with an evaporative emissions control system that, among other things, manages air exchange between the fuel tank and the atmosphere in an environmentally safe manner.The system consists of a vapor canister, various control valves and tubing, and a canister filter (fuel tank air filter) through which the air that flows in and out of the fuel tank must pass.Kia's testing found that if the canister filter becomes significantly clogged, excess pressure can build up in the fuel tank and cause fuel to spit back from the filler port during refueling.Kia has stated that the canister filter requires regularly scheduled service maintenance; however, the component is not listed as a maintenance item in the owner's or service manual for the subject vehicles.ODI notes that Kia does list the filter on the maintenance schedule in the owner's manual for MY 2005 and newer Kia Sorento vehicles.To address the issue of fuel spit back during refueling, Kia will conduct a service campaign of approximately 86,000 MY 2003 and 2004 Kia Sorento vehicles.The campaign will provide a one-time replacement of the canister filter, at no cost to the owner.Kia will begin notifying the affected owners in late January 2012 and will inform the owners that the filter must be serviced at regular intervals.Kia will also provide an updated service maintenance schedule.Consumers should refer to the service campaign bulletin number SC092 available in the investigative file.A safety-related defect trend has not been identified at this time and further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that no safety-related defect exists.The agency will monitor the issue and reserves the right to take future action if warranted by the circumstances.
Fuel System, Gasoline:storage
Complaints allege that while refueling the vehicle, fuel can spill out or spit back from the fuel filler port on model year (MY) 2003 Kia Sorento vehicles (subject vehicles).Consumers report that the spilled fuel can splash on the person fueling the vehicle, or on the side of the vehicle and the ground.The subject vehicles are equipped with an evaporative emissions control system that, among other things, manages air exchange between the fuel tank and the atmosphere in an environmentally safe manner.The system consists of a vapor canister, various control valves and tubing, and a canister filter (fuel tank air filter) through which the air that flows in and out of the fuel tank must pass.Kia's testing found that if the canister filter becomes significantly clogged, excess pressure can build up in the fuel tank and cause fuel to spit back from the filler port during refueling.Kia has stated that the canister filter requires regularly scheduled service maintenance; however, the component is not listed as a maintenance item in the owner's or service manual for the subject vehicles.ODI notes that Kia does list the filter on the maintenance schedule in the owner's manual for MY 2005 and newer Kia Sorento vehicles.To address the issue of fuel spit back during refueling, Kia will conduct a service campaign of approximately 86,000 MY 2003 and 2004 Kia Sorento vehicles.The campaign will provide a one-time replacement of the canister filter, at no cost to the owner.Kia will begin notifying the affected owners in late January 2012 and will inform the owners that the filter must be serviced at regular intervals.Kia will also provide an updated service maintenance schedule.Consumers should refer to the service campaign bulletin number SC092 available in the investigative file.A safety-related defect trend has not been identified at this time and further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that no safety-related defect exists.The agency will monitor the issue and reserves the right to take future action if warranted by the circumstances.
Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:filler Pipe And Cap
Complaints allege that while refueling the vehicle, fuel can spill out or spit back from the fuel filler port on model year (MY) 2003 Kia Sorento vehicles (subject vehicles).Consumers report that the spilled fuel can splash on the person fueling the vehicle, or on the side of the vehicle and the ground.The subject vehicles are equipped with an evaporative emissions control system that, among other things, manages air exchange between the fuel tank and the atmosphere in an environmentally safe manner.The system consists of a vapor canister, various control valves and tubing, and a canister filter (fuel tank air filter) through which the air that flows in and out of the fuel tank must pass.Kia's testing found that if the canister filter becomes significantly clogged, excess pressure can build up in the fuel tank and cause fuel to spit back from the filler port during refueling.Kia has stated that the canister filter requires regularly scheduled service maintenance; however, the component is not listed as a maintenance item in the owner's or service manual for the subject vehicles.ODI notes that Kia does list the filter on the maintenance schedule in the owner's manual for MY 2005 and newer Kia Sorento vehicles.To address the issue of fuel spit back during refueling, Kia will conduct a service campaign of approximately 86,000 MY 2003 and 2004 Kia Sorento vehicles.The campaign will provide a one-time replacement of the canister filter, at no cost to the owner.Kia will begin notifying the affected owners in late January 2012 and will inform the owners that the filter must be serviced at regular intervals.Kia will also provide an updated service maintenance schedule.Consumers should refer to the service campaign bulletin number SC092 available in the investigative file.A safety-related defect trend has not been identified at this time and further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that no safety-related defect exists.The agency will monitor the issue and reserves the right to take future action if warranted by the circumstances.
Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly
Complaints allege that while refueling the vehicle, fuel can spill out or spit back from the fuel filler port on model year (MY) 2003 Kia Sorento vehicles (subject vehicles).Consumers report that the spilled fuel can splash on the person fueling the vehicle, or on the side of the vehicle and the ground.The subject vehicles are equipped with an evaporative emissions control system that, among other things, manages air exchange between the fuel tank and the atmosphere in an environmentally safe manner.The system consists of a vapor canister, various control valves and tubing, and a canister filter (fuel tank air filter) through which the air that flows in and out of the fuel tank must pass.Kia's testing found that if the canister filter becomes significantly clogged, excess pressure can build up in the fuel tank and cause fuel to spit back from the filler port during refueling.Kia has stated that the canister filter requires regularly scheduled service maintenance; however, the component is not listed as a maintenance item in the owner's or service manual for the subject vehicles.ODI notes that Kia does list the filter on the maintenance schedule in the owner's manual for MY 2005 and newer Kia Sorento vehicles.To address the issue of fuel spit back during refueling, Kia will conduct a service campaign of approximately 86,000 MY 2003 and 2004 Kia Sorento vehicles.The campaign will provide a one-time replacement of the canister filter, at no cost to the owner.Kia will begin notifying the affected owners in late January 2012 and will inform the owners that the filter must be serviced at regular intervals.Kia will also provide an updated service maintenance schedule.Consumers should refer to the service campaign bulletin number SC092 available in the investigative file.A safety-related defect trend has not been identified at this time and further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that no safety-related defect exists.The agency will monitor the issue and reserves the right to take future action if warranted by the circumstances.
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